EPISODE NINETY THREE THE PILLAR OF SALT

EPISODE NINETY THREE

THE PILLAR OF SALT

I f your gown didn t graze your collarbone, you d have flocks of men around you, Frederick said, pulling the flask from his pocket again. Wait until they see you in a garment that flatters your curves rather than swaddles them.

Daisy wrinkled her nose. I told my mother that I look like an Egyptian mummy.

Lord Devin didn t glance at her, of course. He was the most proper man she d ever met. Other men ogled her body, especially her breasts, but his attention never dipped below her chin. It brought out all her worst tendencies. She wanted to make him look.

Which was absurd.

She couldn t imagine why he was standing around talking to her and Frederick.

People might assume he was courting her, which he would obviously loathe. Though she d masked it with a smile, the shocked look on his face when she referred to him as a suitor was one of the more humiliating moments in her life, right up there with Lady Regina calling her fat.

Unfortunately, Lord Devin always chanced across her at the worst moments, as at the Rothingale masquerade, which had been-she could admit it-a huge mistake. Her mother would have had an apoplexy if she had discovered that Daisy and her cousin had crept out of the house to attend such a sordid event.

As a matter of conscience, Daisy had made up her mind to stop courting scandal. No more rebellion. Lady Wharton s heart couldn t take it; she was already suffering from palpitations multiple times a day.

Unlike Lord Devin, Frederick readily eyed her up and down. You resemble a pillar of salt. A biblical look but not enticing, if you ll forgive the slur.

I m not a scholar, Daisy said. What s a pillar of salt?

Surely you ve heard the story, Frederick answered, taking a hearty swig of whiskey. I was under the impression that ladies regularly flaunt their virtue by warming the pews.

For a moment Daisy thought of fibbing. Yet did she really care what Lord Devin thought of her? Some secret part of her insisted that she did, but she crushed it and chose the truth.

I fancy you won t be terribly surprised to learn that I prefer to stay at home on the couch reading a novel with no improving content, she replied.

Twas the fate of Lot s wife, Lord Devin said. She and her husband were fleeing the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Angels had told her not to look back, but she did, so she was turned to a pillar of salt for her disobedience.

Oh, now I remember the story, Daisy said unenthusiastically. Mrs. Lot s skirts were probably dragging in the sand, so she turned back to give them a shake. She was reduced to a pile of salt as punishment for a fallen hem.

If you don t mind a sartorial suggestion, Frederick said, your skirts are dragging on the floor. I almost tripped over them during that Polonaise.

Daisy twitched her gown away from his feet. That would be because you missed the steps so often.

Frederick shrugged.

My mother does not care for the current fashion of skirts that float above the ankles, she added.

To her horror, Lady Regina suddenly appeared at Frederick s side. The lady was-of course-dripping with diamonds, as well as being slim and tall, her hair true gold, which perfectly set off eyes as blue as a lake.

One of those arctic lakes, the ones that are icy year-round.

Good evening! she cried. I feel that societal standards have grown too, too rigid, so I am eager to greet Miss Wharton, as her unconventional perspective is newly returned to us. She dropped a shallow curtsy.

Very Regina-esque: a greeting accompanied by a reminder of family disgrace.

Daisy forced herself to smile as she curtsied in return.

Regina bared all her teeth while greeting Lord Devin, which was interesting. She had lost her fianc last Season after making a play for Frederick s brother, throwing herself into Major FitzRoy s arms and kissing him, and thereafter claiming to be betrothed. Unfortunately for her, the major promptly married Livie, propriety be damned.

Lord Devin was more gentlemanly: if Regina threw herself at him, he would be trapped. Never mind the rumors about his rakehellish youth; these days his lordship was every inch an honorable gentleman. Except when he was attending Rothingale s parties, of course.

You were discussing Miss Wharton s skirts when I joined you, were you not? Regina asked.

Actually, we were engaged in biblical exegesis, Frederick drawled.

Regina ignored him. Miss Wharton and I are wearing the same fashion. Her hand fluttered next to her narrow waist, drawing everyone s attention to the panels of shell-pink silk floating over her rose underskirt. When she danced, the cloth would drift in the breeze, giving a glimpse of her slender thighs. Her skirts were short enough that anyone could see her ankles without waiting for her hem to lift.

If Frederick and Lord Devin were supposed to bubble over with compliments, Regina had chosen the wrong audience. They both looked bored.

Your gown is lovely, Daisy said, because her mother had brought her up with manners.

Yours is interesting, Regina replied, because apparently her mother hadn t bothered. A panel gown is better fashioned in silk. Satin is so heavy, wouldn t you agree?

Lady Wharton was most anxious that my figure not be overly exposed. It was a triumph not to glance at Regina s bony legs, outlined in her light gown. That would be unkind.

I understand, Regina said.

Daisy blinked at her, surprised by the unexpected sympathy in her tone. Regina sounded genuinely warm.

She flipped open her fan and whispered. It must be so challenging to disguise your extra bulk. I have defects that I must hide as well. My dressmaker told me that my knees are a liability. A liability !

I m sorry to hear that, Daisy managed.

Regina dropped her fan and fluttered her eyelashes. Lord Devin, I was so pleased to see that you have torn yourself away from all that terribly important work you do in the House of Lords.

His lordship seemed to have woken up to the idea that Regina was viewing him as a possible husband; his expression held precisely the same distaste as when Daisy labeled him her suitor. He really was a swine.

In fact, he deserved Regina.

Lord Devin is an old friend, Daisy said.

Regina blinked rapidly. Ah.

We, that is, his old friends such as Lord FitzRoy-Paget and me- she elbowed Frederick, who was leaning against the wall staring into space -are most anxious that his lordship find a wife worthy of his exalted position.

Lord Devin s eyes darkened. He didn t precisely glare at her, but it was something close.

Regina preened and gave Daisy a genuine smile. I can understand your concern. These days aristocratic blood is being regularly diluted by unions with those from the mercantile classes.

Daisy gave Lord Devin a sunny smile. I believe the conductor just announced a waltz. Perhaps you might lead Lady Regina into the dance, if she has not already promised it to another gentleman.

As it happens, I have not, Regina said, curling her gloved hand around her fan so that none of the signatures were legible.

I promised to escort you onto the dancefloor, Miss Wharton, Lord Devin said untruthfully. It seems you have forgotten, but as a gentleman, I could not take another lady before you.

Alas, I am not yet approved to waltz, Daisy said.

The spark in his eye told her that he remembered perfectly well the waltz they shared at the Rothingale masquerade-at least until he dragged her off the dancefloor.

No proper debutante would waltz before one of the patronesses of Almack s approves her for that privilege, Lady Regina said importantly. I m afraid that the lapse in Miss Wharton s membership in Almack s might-through no fault of her own-make them hesitant to extend that honor. Such a pity.

Daisy let her eyes mock Lord Devin because why not? I m afraid I ll have to decline. Such a pity, as Lady Regina says.

His eyes smoldered at her, for all the world like a stage villain. Oh dear, his lordship was annoyed. Daisy kept her expression clear and her eyes innocent.

I remember when I wasn t free to waltz, Lady Regina chattered, as Lord Devin turned to the side to greet an acquaintance. Lord FitzRoy-Paget, are you awake?

Frederick opened his eyes and focused on the lady. No. Surely only in a nightmare would the woman who tried to compromise my own brother consider it appropriate to converse with me.

Lady Regina drew in her breath sharply. Your brother I shall say no more, as maidenly modesty forbids it!

Really? Frederick looked slightly more awake. Tell me more about maidenly modesty. I thought it had gone the way of dragons. Magnificent beasts, but nowhere to be found outside legend. My brother-Major FitzRoy-made it sound as if you were St. George and he the dragon to be slain.

Daisy gave Frederick a reproving glance. Society at large had no idea that Regina had made a desperate attempt to compromise Livie s husband, first by kissing him and then by announcing their betrothal. It would be very unkind of Frederick to reveal the truth.

Lady Regina turned to Daisy and laughed shrilly. His lordship is attempting to be humorous. Major FitzRoy s desire to bring his wife to the battlefields of Europe was sufficient to end our betrothal!

Daisy didn t like or trust Lady Regina. In fact, she clearly remembered telling her cousin that she planned to squash Regina under her slipper.

But now she had the distinct impression that Regina was anxious. Even lonely. And terrified that people would find out the reason why her latest betrothal came to naught.

Where are your friends, the Misses Massinger? Daisy asked, glancing around.

Regina hunched a shoulder. Petunia married over the summer, and Prudence is hidden in the country because she has conceived again.

In short, her friends had married, and Regina was still trying to find a fianc who would stay with her, unlike her previous two or was it three? Granted, Regina had played a part in her broken betrothals, but the major s rejection last Season must have been particularly humiliating.

No trampling of Lady Regina.

At that moment, Lord Devin turned back to their group, drawing forward one of the most powerful women in polite society. Lady Castlereigh, won t you please allow me to escort Miss Wharton into the next dance? I gather she is not yet approved to waltz.

The lady raised an eyebrow. How interesting that you have decided to throw your hat into that particular ring, she murmured before raising her voice. Do waltz with Miss Wharton, Lord Devin. I m sure your august presence will prove an excellent influence.

You must be joking, Frederick muttered.

I shall save you the first waltz after supper, Regina informed Lord Devin. In fact, we might share the meal to make certain that we locate each other.

Excellent, the gentleman murmured, bowing.

I ve got a headache, Frederick said to Daisy. I ll have a lie-down in the library. Come find me if you need me.

He d pass out on the sofa, but it was better to pry Frederick upright than find herself standing alone or joining her mother in the dowagers corner. She was lucky to have Frederick as a friend.

Though not, perhaps, as a suitor.